SOCIAL MEDIA RECORDS

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

Please note; media posts of subject(s) that have been taken into custody were arrested based on probable cause, which is articulable specific facts and circumstances as opposed to reasonable suspicion. Moreover, those subject(s) taken into custody are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri §610.100 the Howell County Sheriff’s Office shall not release information that is reasonably likely to pose a clear and present danger to the safety of any victim, witness, undercover officer, or other person; or jeopardize a criminal investigation, including records which would disclose the identity of a source wishing to remain confidential or a suspect not in custody; or which would disclose techniques, procedures or guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, that portion of the record shall be closed and shall be redacted from any record made available pursuant to this chapter. Furthermore, the Howell County Sheriff’s Office may release the following within the limitations imposed by the law noted above or court rule 4-3.6 or order:

• The defendant’s name and age;

• The substance of the charge;

• The identity of the investigating or arresting agency and the length and scope of the investigation; and

• The circumstances immediately surrounding an arrest, including the time and place of arrest, resistance, pursuit, and use of weapons, and a description of physical items seized during the arrest.

Lastly, the Howell County Sheriff’s Office considers all circumstances and statements that could be defamatory in nature to their experiential extent. In any case, the court must determine whether the alleged statement is defamatory in nature; however it is the upmost concern that the Howell County Sheriff’s Office protects the reputation of all pursuant state and federal freedom of information laws.

RECORDS RETENTION

Pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri §109.210 and the guidelines prescribed by the Missouri Secretary of State; the Howell County Sheriff’s Office records custodian (Staff 1 Office) archives its social media data for records retention. For more information regarding what is considered a public record, please refer to the Missouri Secretary of State management guide.